The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-09-29

Published Gg Special AyTG5tgeHeSt.l
CHAPTER XII-CoyTINUED.
For one brief moment Deacon Whit
ney gazed at JOe's grotesgue garb in
silent horror. And then, with a stride
which brought him within reach, he
seized the red mans ear with consider
able emphasis.
1.-The flower of the tribe will Just stop
this tomfoolery, an march along home
with the avenger," remarked the
deacon, with grim pleasantly; and the
youthful chieftain, in all the glory of
his trappings and war-paint, was meek
~ led along by the ear in the direction
of the paternal wigwam, to the I'M
smotherable delight of about twenty
Export boys who were playing base
ball on the green, near the dcacon'S
house.
Meanwhile, Tad and Polly made
their way home more slowly. By this
time the two had become great friends,
and were never at loss for converse
ton while together. Tad told his COM
panion all about his life at Miss
Smiths. How Samantha had taught
him to milk Sukey, the Jersey COW, and
even instructed him in the art of
grooming White-face, the family horse,
that was said to be about twenty-five
years old. Then, Miss Smith had
shown him all about planting the veg
etable garden and wedding fiower-beds.
She told Samantha (who told Tad)
that he was by all odds the best help
that had ever worked for her, and, con-
sidering he was 6Oy-Miss Smith
.cherishing rooted antipathy to the
generality Of boys-she wasn't so sure
but that she could say that she almost
liked him.
"I'm sure 1 ike her ever so much"
added Tad, in a rather unusual burst
of confidence. "and folks that think she
is grumpy and cross don't know her
that's all"
perhaps she'll adopt you some day.
Tad" suggested Polly, laughing lit
tie at the idea of grim-visaged Miss
Smith with an adopted son.
al wish she would" returned Tad,
with simple earnestness; I'D give any
thing to have some one kind er love
me, like your folks do you-even though
they wasn't my very own. 1 tell you.
Polly" said Tad, sorrowfully, 'this
having to drift around without any
home, and nobody to care what hap
pens to you, isn't the incest thing in
the world"
Polly was about returning n sympa-
thizing answer; but, catching glimpse
of Captain Flagg rolling heavily along
in the distance, Tad and his conf
dences were momentarily forgotten.
There's fatherr' she exclaimed, de-
lightedly, and with Bounce barking at
her heels, Polly ran feetly down the
plank sidewalk to meet him.
"She's got somebody" thought Tad,
wistfully, and then with little sigh he
turned into Miss Smiths neatly kept
flower-yard, where the pansies and old
fashioned garden-lilies seemed to nod
him friendly welcome.
There was nothing particular for him
to do, and, sitting down on the edge of
the piazza, Tad fell into brown study.
He was good deal perplexed as to
whether he had better conlide his sus-
picions that Mr.. Forrest was also Mr..
Jones, and presumably Mr.. Edwards
also, to Miss Smith and Captain Flagg,
or wait till he had more positive proof.
MY word wouldn't 90 very far
against his smooth tongue" thought
Tad, as he mechanically unfolded the
copy of the paper that had probably
dropped from the pocket of the subject
of his meditations, aId which Tad had
been holding in his hands an the while
why, what! 1t can't ber' Tad
exclaimed, all at once. as his eye fell
upon a conspicuously printed notice,
headed: Flee Hundred Dollars Re
aoGrd!!r' And, the better to take in the
meaning, he read it over again aloud.
Following the offered reward was this
announcement:
THE above sum will be paid. and no ques-
luis "sh0u, IOT int TetCrn OF u SEAL alilgator-
skin sachel with nickelplated trimmings and
lock, together with contents of the same. Said
sachel was left by mistake, in one Of the seats
of the Broad Street Station, Philadelphia the
evening of March IS, 49,, and was taken there
from by boy OF about fourteen, shaboily
dressed, with dark hair and eyes
Address, or call upon, j. n A, 1877 Oldtown
Street, Boston, Mass"
"Well, 1 should say it could bew
said the sharp voice of Miss Smith,
who, having heard Tad's exclamation,
had stepped out on the piazza, un-
noticed by Tad.